entire west coast of the continental United States.
There are 96 major canyons to explore though
you'll need a water craft for the majority of them since access is limited because there are few roads.
Sparkling, clear, blue water laps against towering, sheer, red-rock canyon walls and sandy beaches. Power boats and wave runners zip about while houseboats slowly wend their way deep
into side canyons.
The second largest man-made lake in the United States is the playground for Page, Arizona, and nearly three million visitors annually.
Lake Powell is named for
Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell, who explored the Green and
Colorado rivers in 1869 down
through Grand Canyon.
In August, 1869, Powell and his eight
companions passed through the site of present day Glen Canyon Dam.
Extending nearly one-third of a mile across
from canyon rim to rim, the dam created
the reservoir known as Lake Powell.
Glen Canyon Nation Recreation Area, established by Congress in 1972, is the home of Lake Powell. The area is comprised of 1.25 million acres with the lake occupying only 13%, or 161,390 acres, of the total area, which leaves a lot to be explored by four-wheel drive or on foot.
Once you travel by boat a few miles from any
of the marinas you'll find yourself in another
world with a skyline unmarred by
signs of civilization.
The lake, which lies partly in Arizona and
mostly in Utah, is more than 500 feet deep in places. While Utah has the lion's share
of Powell's crystal clear water, Arizona
lays claim to the most important part-the dam.
It took 17 years, from March 13, 1963 to June 22, 1980, to fill to the planned level of 3,700 feet
above sea level.
Lake levels fluctuate depending on the spring
runoff from the mountains and the releases
needed to produce electricity from the
dam's eight generators.
By far the most popular destination on
Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge stands approximately 290 feet high creating an awe-inspiring sight. It is made of Navajo Sandstone at the top and Kayenta Sandstone at the base and was formed
when the drainage in the stream bed broke
through to the other side of a meander creating an ever widening
hole in the ancient cliff face.
In 1910, the geological significance of the monument caught the attention of the
